Sunday was a troublesome day for the USA Navy as two US Navy plane crash into South China Sea.
The separate incidents concerned an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Tremendous Hornet, each working from the plane service USS Nimitz (CVN-68).
The crashes occurred roughly half-hour aside throughout routine operations, in keeping with the US Pacific Fleet. The Sea Hawk is assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, whereas the Tremendous Hornet belongs to the “Combating Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron 22.
Two US Navy Plane Crash Into South China Sea, Minutes Aside
The Pacific Fleet stated the primary incident befell at 1445 native time, when the MH-60R Sea Hawk went down whereas conducting routine operations from the Nimitz. Search and rescue groups from Service Strike Group 11 shortly launched restoration efforts and efficiently retrieved all three crew members.
In its official assertion, the US Pacific Fleet stated,
“At roughly 2:45 p.m. native time, a US Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the ‘Battle Cats’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, went down within the waters of the South China Sea whereas conducting routine operations from the plane service. Search and rescue belongings assigned to Service Strike Group 11 safely recovered all three crew members.”
Roughly half-hour later, at 1515 native time, an F/A-18F Tremendous Hornet from the Combating Redcocks of VFA-22 additionally went down.
“Each crew members efficiently ejected and have been additionally safely recovered by search and rescue belongings assigned to Service Strike Group 11,” the Pacific Fleet added.
All 5 service members concerned in Sunday’s incidents have been safely recovered and are in secure situation aboard the Nimitz.
Closing Voyage of a Legend
The usNimitz, the oldest lively plane service within the US fleet, is on the return leg of its remaining deployment earlier than decommissioning. The service, together with its escorts and embarked Service Air Wing 17, departed the West Coast on 26 March 2025 for what can be its final main operational tour.
All through the summer time, the Nimitz operated within the Center East, supporting US efforts to discourage Houthi assaults on business transport. The ship entered the South China Sea on 17 October, simply days earlier than Sunday’s incidents.
Each the Sea Hawk and the Tremendous Hornet have been conducting “routine operations” in a area of disputed waters that China claims as its personal.
Beijing’s Response
China’s overseas ministry provided humanitarian help to the USA following the incidents, but additionally used the second to criticize Washington’s continued navy presence within the area.
The US Navy maintains its operations there to help regional allies and problem China’s sovereignty claims, a part of the continued effort to protect freedom of navigation via one of many world’s busiest maritime corridors.
The timing of the incidents is notable, coming simply days earlier than President Donald Trump is scheduled to fulfill with Chinese language President Xi Jinping in Tokyo on 30 October.
“Nothing to Conceal,” Says President Trump
Talking aboard Air Drive One on Monday, 27 October, whereas en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Tokyo, President Trump stated he had been briefed on each incidents and that foul play is just not suspected.
“They’re going to let me know fairly quickly,” Trump advised reporters. “I believe they need to be capable to discover out. It may very well be unhealthy gasoline. I imply, it’s potential it’s unhealthy gasoline. Very uncommon that may occur.”
The president added that there was “nothing to cover” and that the US Navy would launch findings as soon as the investigation concludes.
The Mighty Nimitz
Now in its fiftieth 12 months of service, the usNimitz stays a floating image of American sea energy. Measuring 1,092 toes from bow to stern and displacing roughly 100,000 tons when totally loaded, the service is powered by two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors that drive 4 shafts, giving it a high pace of greater than 30 knots.
The ship sometimes carries greater than 5,000 personnel, together with each the ship’s firm and air wing members. Nimitz-class carriers can function constantly for as much as 20 years with out refueling.
A Troubling Pattern
Sunday’s loss marks the fourth F/A-18 incident for the US Navy this 12 months.
In December, an F/A-18 from the usTruman was by chance shot down in a pleasant fireplace incident involving the usGettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser.
In April, one other Tremendous Hornet slipped from the Truman’s flight deck into the Purple Sea.
In Might, a touchdown jet missed the arresting cables and plunged into the water.
Regardless of these setbacks, the Navy’s fast response on Sunday ensured each crew member made it house alive.
Swift Motion, Steadfast Sailors and Aviators
The US Navy’s effectivity and professionalism have been on full show within the aftermath of each crashes. Inside minutes, search and rescue groups from Service Strike Group 11 had situated and recovered all 5 service members.
All personnel concerned are protected, secure, and again aboard the Nimitz because the ship continues its journey house.
We salute the women and men of the USA Navy for his or her swift motion, their braveness, and their dedication to bringing each sailor and aviator house safely.
